How to Speak Epic Content with Voice to Text

To make money as a writer, you need an extreme level discipline. Whether you write blogs, books or anything in between, you need to find a way to become consistent and continually create quality content. With a bit of creativity, you can make the process a bit easier. In this post I will teach you how to use simple tools to speak your next writing projects to get more done and not sacrifice quality in the process. Voice to text is amazing, let’s make sure you understand how to use it!

Why Voice to Text Makes You a Better Writer

#1 Increased Productivity

Most bloggers and writers struggle with consistency or get bored with the process of typing and pounding out content against the unnatural glow of the computer screen.

Speaking posts can help you write content more quickly and from anywhere.

#2 You Will Write in Your Natural Voice

I make my best effort to write in the same way I speak, but it isn’t easy. Speaking your posts makes it easier (obviously).

#4 Capture Ideas When Inspiration Strikes

I record many of my blog posts when I am driving. Pulling out the laptop while going 70mph in my Honda Pilot isn’t feasible, but pressing record on the Rev app is.

The Tools Required

Do NOT overthink this.

You can start creating content via voice to text with as minimal of a set up as simply your smartphone.

Here is my set-up (it’s overkill for most).

iPhone 7. I use my iPhone 7 for all my mobile recordings because it’s easy to sync and I always have it on me. If inspiration strikes, I’m ready to go!

Alternative: Any smartphone.

Rev App. This is my preferred voice to text transcription program because it’s a seamless transfer from my recordings to a real live person who will give me a quality transcription. I am not a fan of voice to text software because there are too many errors (even with the best software on the market, Dragon Dictation) and the rates for a real live person are so affordable and the turnaround is fast.

Alternative #1: Built in voice memo tool (or any other 3rd party voice recording app), Dropbox and available transcription services. Evernote has the ability to record audio and you can make notes on the file. This comes in handy if you need to add images, links or notes to your file. That will be essential when completing the actual written post, which you can do yourself or with a 3rd party ghost writing service (more on this later).

Alternative #2: Dragon Dictation. This is an actual voice to text software and there is no human interpretation. This means more misheard words and it requires a little extra proofing when your done. Not a bad option, but not my method of choice.

Bose Wireless Q35 headphones. There is no reason you’d need these over any pair of basic headphones or earbuds with a built in mic. I use these because they are my default headphones and the built in mic is actually very high quality.

Alternative #1: Any headphones or earbuds with a built in mic. iPhone users can use the included ear buds. SkullCandy makes great earbuds as well if you don’t use an iPhone or don’t like the included ear buds.

Alternative #2: Zoom H1 Portable Digital Recorder. If you want something that will give you higher quality audio that will be used for sharing (not just sending for transcription) this is a great mobile option. This is a lavalier mic that can also be used to create better sounding audio for videos when you overlay the sound instead of using built in camera mics. Vloggers rejoice!

ATR 2100 Microphone. This is my mic of choice for home recordings. It will give you crisper audio if you decide to make your recordings available as well, with a service like SoundCloud.

Cost: $60-$79 on Amazon.

Audacity. This is a free audio recording software if you do your recordings on your desktop or laptop.

Cost: Free

Alternative: GarageBand (Mac Users)

Voice to Text Recording Best Practices

The following will make sure that you don’t let your content quality slip.

#1 Always Proofread and Optimize Your Posts

If you speak a post and share it, you are doing it wrong.

Don’t deviate from your normal style and don’t get lax on SEO and general readability improvements (bullet points, images, etc).

If you only need basic grammar and spelling proofreading, you can use a service like FancyHands.

#2 Make Notes in Recording for Easier Completion

Consider adding the following voice notes. You will, literally, say these out loud so they appear in the transcription.

{Header}…{End Header}. You can even specify the header type. For example “H2..10 Ways to Sell More Supplements…End H2”

Outsourcing Article Completion

I am always weary of outsourcing my content, none of my content on EntreResource is outsourced, but I know many content marketers find it valuable to outsource content.

Speaking your content and then having a professional finish the article for you is a great way to save time and not lose your unique voice.

For this, I recommend TextBroker.com. They are qualified and affordable. If you have the article transcribed, it won’t take long for a quality ghost writer to wrap it up and make it look and sound great.

Whether you are typing or speaking, never stop learning and sharing.

Good luck!

About the author

Nate McCallister

Nate is the founder and main contributor of EntreResource.com. He is a lifestyle entrepreneur who spends his time building businesses and raising his two kids Sawyer and Brooks with his beautiful wife Emily. His main interests include copywriting, economics and piano.